Tweedsiders saved from relegation

While the rest of the rugby world was going crazy in the RBS 6 Nations matches, the Kelso faithful travelled to Biggar on much more important business, writes Norman Anderson.

But it was with a certain level of trepidation, as defeat could have led to Tweedsiders’ sat navs being reprogrammed to such outlandish places as Ardrossan, Falkirk, Greenock and Aberdeenshire for next season.

However, the Poynder Park faithful’s relegation fears were allayed by a comfortable win, in which Kelso was on top for the majority of the game.

They exerted a great deal of pressure on their hosts and, generally, played well.

Playing downhill in the first half, two early penalties by Andrew Skeen settled the Borderers and their spirits were lifted further when Greg Ponton intercepted on the halfway line and dashed towards the posts to give Skeen an easy conversion to give them a 13-0 lead at half-time.

A Skeen drop goal took Kelso further ahead, only for Biggar to reduce the gap with a try from Andy King, with Graeme Hunter adding the extras.

A barging run by visitors’ replacement Terry Skeet took play into the Biggar danger area, allowing Gareth Riddell the opportunity to score Kelso’s second try, Skeen converting.

The final score of the game was another Skeen penalty with 15 minutes to go.

The final score was most welcome to the visitors as the four league points were enough to take Kelso out of danger as far as relegation goes.

All in all, this was an encouraging performance, without the usual scrum dominance, but a performance that secured Kelso’s place in National Division One with a game to spare.

Now, it is up to Biggar, Marr and Jed-Forest to sweat it out over the next couple of weeks over the second relegation spot.